Takanelite is a rare manganese oxide mineral typically found in low-temperature hydrothermal deposits. It is often identified by its dull, earthy to submetallic black appearance and is found as thin crusts or powdery aggregates rather than well-defined crystals.
Is this takanelite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch takanelite with a known reference. Takanelite sits at Mohs 1-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Takanelite leaves a brownish black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Takanelite typically shows a submetallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: massive, crusts, coatings, earthy aggregates.
Often confused with
Takanelite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Takanelite leaves brownish black, Birnessite leaves brownish-black; luster reads submetallic on Takanelite and dull on Birnessite.
How to tell apart: Romanèchite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-6 vs. 1-2); streak differs — Takanelite leaves brownish black, Romanèchite leaves shiny brownish black; luster reads submetallic on Takanelite and submetallic to dull on Romanèchite.
How to tell apart: Pyrolusite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 1-2); streak differs — Takanelite leaves brownish black, Pyrolusite leaves black; luster reads submetallic on Takanelite and metallic on Pyrolusite.
Often found alongside takanelite
Minerals reported to co-occur with takanelite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mn²⁺,Ca,Mg)Mn⁴⁺₄O₉·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Brownish Black
- Luster
- Submetallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Coatings, Earthy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Manganese Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find takanelite
Classic worldwide localities
- Takané mine, Japan
- Nunya, Japan
- Various manganese deposits globally
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal manganese deposits country — that is the host setting where takanelite typically forms. If you start seeing rhodochrosite, braunite, hausmannite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, coatings, earthy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify takanelite?+
Where is takanelite found?+
How much is takanelite worth?+
What rocks look like takanelite?+
What minerals are found with takanelite?+
What kind of rock does takanelite form in?+
What is takanelite used for?+
Find takanelite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
